RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for P600 returned 371 results.

prev | items
| next

BELIEF--MAGIC OF SIGN

IN THE ACT OF CAPTURING A BIRD
THE CAPTOR SHOULD PUT SALT ON THE BIRD'S TAIL,
THUS RENDERING IT HELPLESS TO FLY AWAY.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 00-00-1950

View just this record

N-FOOD-DRINK SPECIAL FORM AND PURPOSE

IF A PERSON HAS A WISH OR SECRET AMBITION
TO SUCCEED ALL HE HAS TO DO IS THINK OF THIS WISH
WHILE BREAKING THE BREASTBONE (WISHBONE)
OF A CHICKEN WHICH HE HAS EATEN SOME OF.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 00-00-1950

View just this record

MAGIC OF HOLY WATER

OCCASIONALLY SPRINKLE THE ROOMS OF YOUR HOME
TO RID THEM OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL.

Submitter comment: A BELIEF PRACTICED BY ONE OF THE SISTERS I HAD IN GRADE SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 01-29-1968

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

WHEN PASSING UNDER A BRIDGE, WHILE IN A CAR,
PUT HAND ON TOP OF ROOF AND MAKE A WISH.
THERE IS AN EXTRA GUARANTEE THAT THE WISH WILL COME TRUE
IF THERE IS A TRAIN PASSING OVERHEAD.

Submitter comment: KAREN LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER.

Where learned: HOLDEN HALL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 10-12-1967

View just this record

TIE A STRING AROUND YOUR FINGER SO YOULL REMEMBER.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

HOLY WATER HOME

MOST CATHOLICS HAVE A PRIEST COME TO THEIR HOME
TO BLESS IT. THIS IS TO KEEP GOD IN THE HOUSE.
SIGNIFIES THAT THE PEOPLE WANT GOD TO WATCH OVER IT.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 03-02-1968

View just this record

EXORCISING

MY STEPMOTHER, AN EX-SCHOOLMARM FROM A RURAL QUEBEC
VILLAGE, USED TO SPRINKLE HOLY WATER ON MY FATHER
TO EXORCISE HIM OF THE DEVIL IN HIM
WHWNEVER HR
WHEN EVER HE WOULD BECOME HEATEDLY ANGRY.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): TEACHER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

FOUR LEAF CLOVERS

IF A PERSON FINDS A FOUR LEAF CLOVER
HE WILL GET WHATEVER WISH HE MAKES ON IT.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

LUCK AND THE NEW HOUSE

WHEN YOU BUY OR BUILD A NEW HOUSE
YOU HANG SOMETHING AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT DOOR
SUCH AS A HORSE SHOE, A DEER ANTLER, OR A VERY SMALL
SLIPPER ABOUT THE SIZE OF ONE OF YOUR FINGERS.

Submitter comment: FROM BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

PENNIES IN THE FOUNTAIN.

IF YOU THROW A PENNY IN TO A FOUNTAIN
IT WILL BRING YOU WHATEVER YOU WISH FOR ON THE PENNY.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): MONEY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 00-00-1960

View just this record

CUSTOM

THE DUTCH THAT CAME FROM THE OLD COUNTRY
BELIEVED THAT AS SOON AS A BARN WAS ERECTED,
ALL SORTS OF FIGURES WERE PAINTED ON IT
SO AS TO DISCOURAGE ANY HOAX THAT MIGHT COME UPON THEIR CROPS
OR FARM ANIMALS. THEY REALLY BELIEVED THIS AND
STILL DO IT TODAY.

Submitter comment: MRS. MURPHYS GREAT GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS WHEN SHE LIVED
IN PENNSYLVANIA OVER 60 YEARS AGO.

Data entry tech comment: DATES ARE TYPED AS IS, CONFUSING.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 11-09-1967

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

FATHER TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE LIVED IN PENNSYLVANIA THE DUTCH,
REALLY LOW CLASS GERMANS, HAD A SUPERSTITION THAT IF AN EVIL EYE
WAS PAINTED ABOVE THE BARN DOORS, THIS WOULD
WARD OFF THE EVIL SPIRITS, ALL THEIR BARNS HAD
AN EYE PAINTED ABOVE THE DOORS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

MY AUNT ESTER WAS SUPERSTITIOUS. A WOMAN USED TO COME OVER
TO TELL HER ABOUT SOME MAN THAT THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH.
HE HAD BEEN THERE AND WENT AWAY.
THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE HE WAS.
HE LEFT HIS HAT AT THIS WOMANS HOUSE.
SHE TOOK THE HAT PUT IT IN WATER AND BOILED AND BOILED IT.
THE MAN RETURNED FOR HIS HAT QUICKLY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THIS CONTAGIOUS TYPE OF
MAGIC OR ANY OTHER KIND OF MAGIC.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

COIN CUSTOM

IF YOU PUT A PENNY IN EACH OF YOUR DRESSER DRAWERS
AND KEEP THEM THERE YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE MONEY
WHILE YOU LIVE IN THAT HOUSE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS HIS MOTHER TOLD HIM THIS AND SWEARS IT IS TRUE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

View just this record

TALE OF KISSING ELBO.

IF YOU KISS YOUR ELBO,
YOU WILL TURN INTO THE OPPOSITE SEX.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): ELBOW

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 01-26-1972

View just this record

IN COLLECTING MAGICAL HEALING HERBS
YOU SHOULD NOT TOUCH THE HERBS WITH COLD IRON
OR STEEL OR THE HERBS WILL RAPIDLY LOSE THEIR POWERS.
APPROPRIATE WAYS OF GATHERING THEM ARE
1. PLUCKING
2. CUTTING WITH "ELDER METALS", I.E., GOLD OR BRONZE.
3. CUTTING WITH AN IRON BLADE WHICH IS RED HOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 04-00-1972

View just this record

BOTTOMS UP.

HORSE SHOES SHOULD BE HUNG OPEN END UP SO THAT
ALL THE GOOD LUCK WONT FLOW OUT OF THEM.

Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HER FATHER BOB DEVLEIG

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 12-04-1965

View just this record

CUSTOM

NAVAJO INDIANS, NEW MEXICO. WHIRLWINDS ARE BELIEVED
TO CARRY THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD.
THEY COME AFTER BABIES SO IF ONE SHOULD BE CAUGHT
NEAR A WHIRLWIND HE IS UNDRESSED AND HIS CLOTHES WASHED.

Where learned: NEW MEXICO ; SHIPROCK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

CUSTOM

A CEDAR BRANCH OVER THE HOGAN DOOR
WILL KEEP THE SPIRITS OUT

Submitter comment: HOGAN: THE TYPICAL DWELLING OF THE NAVAJO INDIANS,
BUILT OF EARTH WALLS SUPPORTED BY TIMBERS.

Where learned: NEW MEXICO ; SHIPROCK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

View just this record

CUSTOM

NAVAJO INDIANS, NEW MEXICO: WHEN A DOG'S EARS ARE CLIPPED,
IT MAKES THEM SMART.

Where learned: NEW MEXICO ; SHIPROCK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.